Based on a novel optical design by Klevtsov, the versatile TAL-150K is the ideal instrument for the advanced amateur astronomer who desires high resolution and excellent light-gathering power (limiting visual magnitude 13) in a highly portable telescope.

The TAL-150K provides an aperture of 150mm and focal length of 1550mm in a very compact tube length of only 425mm (17 inches). Klevtsov's revolutionary catadioptric design employs a sub-aperture meniscus correcting lens (like the familiar Maksutov) combined with a Mangin mirror-lens secondary. Its fast focal ratio of f/10.3, flat field, and excellent correction of coma, spherical aberration, and astigmatism (14 micron star images at a distance of 10mm from the optical axis!) make the TAL-150K a superb instrument for astrophotography, far surpassing conventional Schmidt-Cassegrain and Ritchey-Chretien systems.

The telescope is supplied with an 6x30mm finder with a 8 degree field of view, an equatorial mount with motor drive in Right Ascension and manual slow-motion in Declination, two eyepieces of 25mm and 10mm focal length, and a 2x Barlow lens. At the customer's request, the mounting can be supplied either on a rigid metal pedestal or a hardwood tripod. A fitted wood carrying case is also included.

To comfortably observe objects near the zenith, a diagonal mirror which diverts the light path by 90 degrees is also supplied, as well as an adaptor for 35mm SLR cameras.